Famous British Weightlifters

Zoe Smith is an accomplished English weightlifter who has excelled on the international stage. She made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first English woman to achieve this feat. Despite facing setbacks such as funding cuts and injuries, Smith showcased her resilience by competing in multiple Olympic Games. Her determination and dedication to the sport were evident when she secured gold and bronze medals at the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships.

Ben Helfgott was a Polish-born British Holocaust survivor, Olympian, and champion weightlifter. He was one of two Jewish athletes known to have competed in the Olympics after surviving the Holocaust. Throughout his adult life, Helfgott dedicated himself to promoting Holocaust education and fostering cultural integration and peace. He met with national leaders in the UK to advocate for these causes. Helfgott's professional legacy is marked by his commitment to using his platform to educate and bring people together in pursuit of harmony and understanding.

Precious McKenzie MBE is a renowned former weightlifter of South African origin. He achieved success in weightlifting by winning Commonwealth titles for both England and New Zealand, as well as securing numerous World powerlifting and Masters World powerlifting titles. His contributions to the sport were recognized when he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1974. With a stature of 1.45m (4' 9"), McKenzie's professional career is marked by his exceptional achievements in weightlifting and powerlifting at the international level.

Sarah Davies is a successful British weightlifter who competes in the 64 kg and 69 kg weight categories at international events. She proudly represents both England and Great Britain in various competitions. In 2021, she achieved a significant milestone by winning the silver medal in the women's 71 kg event at the World Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Sarah's dedication and hard work in the sport have earned her recognition and respect among her peers and fans worldwide.

Emily Campbell is a highly successful British weightlifter, known for her remarkable achievements in the sport. She made history by becoming the first British woman to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting, securing a silver at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Campbell has also claimed multiple European titles, Commonwealth Games gold, and World Championships medals. Her dedication and talent have solidified her reputation as one of the top weightlifters in the world, earning her a spot as Team GB's sole weightlifter at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sonny Webster is a British weightlifter who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics, placing 14th with a total lift of 333kg. He is the founder of Big Friday Supplies, an athletic sportswear brand, and serves as the head coach of The Lifting Zone (formerly The Sonny Webster Academy). With a focus on weightlifting, he has established himself as both a successful athlete and entrepreneur, playing a significant role in the development and promotion of the sport through his brand and coaching endeavors.

Emily Muskett is a retired British weightlifter who competed in various weight categories for England and Great Britain. She achieved notable success in international competitions, winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 Commonwealth Championships, as well as a silver at the 2019 European Weightlifting Championships. With her coach Andrew Callard, Muskett also competed in multiple world championships, earning a bronze medal in the 'clean & jerk' at the 2019 World Weightlifting Championships. Following her 7th place finish in the 2021 Olympic Games, Muskett retired from competitive lifting to pursue coaching.

Launceston Elliot was a pioneering British weightlifter who achieved significant success in his sport during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He made history by becoming the first athlete representing the United Kingdom to win an Olympic gold medal in weightlifting at the 1896 Athens Games. Elliot continued to excel in the sport, setting new records and establishing himself as a prominent figure in British weightlifting circles. He later transitioned to professional competitions and competed in various events, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

Michaela Breeze MBE is a British former weightlifter known for her achievements in the sport. She started her weightlifting journey under the guidance of her PE teacher and went on to compete at various international events, including the Commonwealth Games. After a successful career, she retired from competitive weightlifting and opened her gym in Aberdare. Breeze made a brief comeback for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, setting records before retiring for the second time. She also contributed to the sport by coaching athletes and teaching PE.